Honda HSC

Some concept cars look as if they're obvious show ponies, without a hope of ever making it into production.

24 February 2005Chris. Gable

Others, like the stunning HSC concept on Honda's Melbourne motor show stand look road-ready and rarin' to go.

Although Honda hasn't officially said so, word is that the HSC is the next NSX, due to go into production either next year or 2007.

The car-maker's product development senior chief engineer admits its styling has been heavily influenced by Ferrari's awesome Enzo, but, like the rest of Honda, is tight-lipped about its future.

The HSC was first shown at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, and speculation about it being the next generation NSX - and a serious supercar challenger for Ferrari and Porsche - has been rife ever since. Some European websites have even taken a stab at its engine power and torque, although the guesses vary widely.

Some enthusiast sites say the rear-drive car will be powered by a larger capacity, more potent version of the mid-mounted 3.2-litre V6 in the current NSX. Other pundits say that in order to take on the might of the supercar elite, it will need a bigger engine with at least 270kW (the current NSX Coupe delivers a relatively-modest 206kW).

What's certain about the concept car is that it sits on 19-inch wheels which house huge six-piston Brembo race-style brakes, that there are Formula One-style paddle shifters on the steering wheel and that it gets a Honda S2000-style starter button on the dashboard.